Llinos Medi Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Councillor
Llinos Medi
Office:Member of Parliament
for Ynys Môn
Term Start:4 July 2024
Predecessor:Virginia Crosbie
Majority:637 (2.0%)
Office2:Leader of Isle of Anglesey County Council
Term Start2:23 May 2017
Term End2:9 July 2024
Predecessor2:Ieuan Williams
Successor2:Gary Pritchard (leader designate)
Office3:Member of Isle of Anglesey County Council
for Talybolion
Term Start3:2 May 2013
Party:Plaid Cymru
Children:2

Llinos Medi Huws[1] (born)[2] is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Ynys Môn since 2024, and as Leader of the Isle of Anglesey County Council since 2017. A councillor for Talybolion ward, she was first elected to the local authority in 2013,[3] and became leader of the Plaid Cymru group in 2015.

Early career

When Medi was 16 she went to do a Social Care course, and then started working in a care home when she was 18.[4] She then went on to supporting the use of the Welsh language in schools and Young Farmer organisations.[5] She has also been a teaching assistant, eggs seller and milk recording on farms.[6]

Political career

In April 2015, Medi became the leader of the Plaid Cymru group (and the official opposition) on the Isle of Anglesey County Council. On 23 May 2017, Medi became the first woman to lead Anglesey County Council and was among the youngest council leaders in the United Kingdom at the age of 35.[7] She succeeded the independent councillor Ieuan Williams as council leader. She led a coalition of 21 Plaid Cymru and independent councillors.[8] She was also the social services portfolio holder.

On 21 September 2023, she announced her intention to stand for nomination as Plaid Cymru candidate for Ynys Môn in the 2024 general election.[9]

On 5 July 2024, Medi was elected as MP for Ynys Môn, winning with 10,590 votes and 32.5% of the vote share, narrowly beating the former MP Virginia Crosbie by 637 votes.[10]

Political opinions

Her personal priorities are the economy, health and wellbeing of the citizens of North Wales.[11]

She believes that rules on political donations need to be stricter.[12]

Awards

Medi was added to the list of 100 Welsh Women who have made a significant and lasting impact within their fields of expertise complied by the Women's Equality Network in 2020.[13]

Personal life

She is a farmer's daughter. She married, later divorced and has two children, Elliw and Twm. In 2015 she and her children became homeless and she talked about this in her maiden speech as the new MP for Ynys Mon.

Notes and References

  1. Members Sworn . Parliament of the United Kingdom . House of Commons . 10 July 2024 . 752 .
  2. News: Wyn-Williams . Gareth . Plaid Cymru choose leader on Anglesey Council . North Wales Live . 13 April 2015 . 5 July 2024.
  3. Web site: Councillor Llinos Medi Huws . Isle of Anglesey County Council . 18 October 2020.
  4. News: Gallacher . Joanne . 25 July 2024 . Meet Llinos Medi, the new Plaid Cymru MP for Ynys Mon . 31 July 2024 . ITV News.
  5. Web site: Wyn Jones . Tony . Tony Wyn Jones interviews the first ever female Leader of Anglesey Councty Council, Llinos Medi Huws . MonFM . 18 October 2020.
  6. Web site: Budget Responsibility Bill - Volume 752: debated on Tuesday 30 July 2024 . 31 July 2024 . Hansard - The House of Commons.
  7. News: 2017-05-11 . Plaid puts forward sole candidate for Anglesey council leader . 2024-06-25 . BBC News . en-GB.
  8. Web site: Wyn-Williams . Gareth . Anglesey Council to be led by woman for first time . The Daily Post . 12 May 2017 . 14 October 2020.
  9. Web site: Mansfield . Mark . 2023-09-21 . Llinos Medi seeks nomination as Plaid Cymru candidate for Ynys Môn at next general election. . 2023-09-22 . Nation.Cymru . en-GB.
  10. News: Crump . Eryl . What Ynys Môn's new Plaid MP had to say after she narrowly beat Tory rival to take island seat . Dailypost.co.uk . 2024-07-05 . 2024-07-06 . en-GB.
  11. Web site: Llinos Medi - county councillor and leader Ynys Mon county council . 100 Welsh Women . 14 October 2020.
  12. News: 2024-03-23 . Tighten rules on political donations, says Plaid Cymru . 2024-06-25 . BBC News . en-GB.
  13. Web site: Canty . Terry . Anglesey Council leader Llinos makes a list of 100 Welsh women for International Women's Day 2020 . North Wales Chronicle . 11 March 2020 . 14 October 2020.